Foldable transportation device

ABSTRACT

A foldable transportation device having the component parts thereof movable between a folded storage position and an extended in-use position for travel is disclosed and includes a center frame having a plurality of telescopeable sections and a body including floor and end and side wall members mounted thereon and movable therewith between respective folded positions and extended in-use positions and a pair of opposed arms for each end of the center frame each having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the respective side of the center frame and each having a wheel rotatably mounted on the other end thereof with each arm being movable between a folded storage position and an in-use position for movably supporting the transportation device. Drive means and steering means are operatively connected to selected wheels for controlling movement and travel of the transportation device.

United States Patent Boydetal.

3,700,057 51 Oct. 24, 1972 [54] FOLDABLE TRANSPORTATION DEVICE [72]Inventors: Loyce M. Boyd, 11400 Longview Primary Examiner-Robert J. SparAttorney-Fishburn, Gold and Litman ABSTRACT A foldable transportationdevice having the component parts thereof movable between a foldedstorage position and an extended in-use position for travel is disclosedand includes a center frame having a plurality of telescopeable sectionsand a body including floor and end and side wall members mounted thereonand movable therewith between respective folded positions and extendedin-use positions and a pair of opposed arms for each end of the centerframe each having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the of the centerframe and each having a mounted on the other end thereof with each armbeing movable between a folded storage position and an in-use positionfor movably supporting the transportation device. Drive means andsteering means are operatively connected to selected wheels forcontrolling movement and travel of the e .C m e .0 d n mm .m Wm m .ur 0ma P .H Fe 5 5 h w v. 22 mm Mm m xR IUV. 034 40W 86 M0 S 6.C M-M4 N 0 R6,B n o MOLO 4300 mm pil 3 "48 n WIA6 m ,2 Wm A 6 0 .9 n C n 8 N m I wW 2m W .a L c em R mm m u w n 1m I M a A m .B n m "R C ..m L f. 1 8 m eh Rm Mm w B m m 0 L an Akmm .nR e a m m 2. n T N Mme... v. 0 m h S 0.3mm m3 m i m D 11 m RcLd 1 u m A n m" 11 P o u m N HM N a u m m n m H P mfm wn F A UIF m 1] 1]] %B n m M 59 D[U 2 2 687,794 2/1953 Great Britain.............180/l R 10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBT 24 m2SHEE 1 Di 6 ATTORNE S PATENTED um 24 I972 SHEET 2 BF 6 L o Clarence 1..Bo d ATTORNEYS PMENTED OCT 2 4 I972 SHEET '4 OF 6 laxence L. B ydATTORNEYS FOLDABLE TRANSPORTATION DEVICE The present invention relatesto foldable transportation devices of the automotive type havingcomponent parts thereof movable between an in-use .position and a foldedstorage position.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide afoldable transportation device having component parts thereoflongitudinally telescopeable and transversely foldable for compactstorage; to provide such a foldable transportation device telescopeableand foldable to a size and of a weight suitable for placing in a trunkof an automobile or in a small plane; to provide such a foldabletransportation device having power means operative to retract and extendthe component parts and to fold and unfold the component parts thereof;to to provide such a foldable transportation device adapted to be easilymanipulated between a retracted and folded storage position and anextended in-use position; to provide such a foldable transportationdevice which is particularly useful for repair and service garages andthe like to use for picking up and delivering automobiles and like tripsor errands; and to provide such a foldable transportation device whichis economical to manufacture, easily maintained, positive in operation,stable at high speeds, and particularly well adapted for the purposesintended.

Other objects and advantages of this invention ,will become apparentfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of thisinvention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include anexemplary embodiment illustrating various objects and features of thefoldable transportation device of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable transportation deviceembodying features of the present invention and shown in an extendedin-use position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a forward end portion of thedevice with portions broken away to better illustrate the operativeparts.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the forward endportion of the device with portions broken away and showing foldedpositions of a wheel supporting arm and floor members and wall membersin broken lines.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of amounting of one wheel.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a pivotallymounted end of one of the wheel supporting arms.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the foldable transportation devicewith portions broken away to better illustrate the operative parts.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of means for driving the transportationdevice with essential operating parts diagrammatically shown.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a center and rear portion ofthe device and showing mounting of seat members and means for selectingdirection and speed of travel of the device.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a rear portion of thedevice and showing the seat members and supports therefor folded and ina storage position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 10-40, FIG. 9 andshowing a slide mechanism for 2 a elevating rear seat members afterfolding to permit front seat members to be moved below same for storage.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the transportation device shown in atelescoped or retracted position prior to folding thereof.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing connection meansfor maintaining end panels and side wall members in an in-use position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the transportation device shown in afolded storage position.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a rearportion of the device withportions broken away to better illustrate the operative parts,particularly power means for driving the transportation device.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms that are different from those illustrative embodiments presentedherein. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis forthe claims actually defining the scope of this invention. In thisregard, it is to be recognized that foldable transportation devices, inaccordance herewith, may be embodied in various forms and furthermorethat such foldable transportation devices may be variously driven.However, the disclosure hereof is presented only as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ thepresent invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present inver tion, the referencenumeral 1 generally designates a foldable transportation device havingthe component parts thereof movable between a retracted and foldedstorage position and an extended in-use position for travel. Thefoldable transportation device includes a center frame 2 having aplurality of telescopeable sections, as later described, having floormembers 3 within a body 4 which includes end and side wall members, aslater described, mounted on the center frame 2 and movable therewith andbetween respective folded positionsand extended in-use positions and apair of opposed wheel support arms 5 for each end of the center frame 2and on opposite sides thereof and each having one end thereof pivotallymounted on the respective side of the center frame 2 and each having awheel 6 rotatably mounted on the other end thereof with each arm 5 beingmovable between a folded storage position and an in-use position formovably supporting the transportation device 1. Drive means 7 andsteering means 8, as later described, are operatively connected toselected wheels 6 for controlling movement and travel of thetransportation device 1.

The center frame 2 has a plurality of longitudinally telescopeablesections movable between an extended in-use position and a retractedstorage position. The sections of the center frame 2 may be formed inany suitable shape which will provide support for the component parts ofthe foldable transportation device I. In the illustrated structure, thesections are generally square or rectangular and have opposed side wallsand top and bottom walls for supporting the floor members 3 and the body4 including the end and side wall members, as later described.

The center frame 2 may be formed of any desired number of longitudinallytelescopeable sections, however, in the illustrated structure, thecenter frame 2 includes a front section 9 and a rear section 10 and atleast one and preferably a pair of intermediate sections 11 and 12cooperatively engageable with the front and rear sections 9 and 10!respectively.

Movement of the sections 9, 10, 11, and 12, of the center frame 2,between the retracted position and the extended in-use position isaccomplished by suitable power means including an electric motor 13preferably reversible and mounted within the space defined by the wallsof the rear section 10 of the center frame 2 and having a magneticclutch 14 operatively connected thereto. The magnetic clutch 14 isselectively engageable with the reversible electric motor 13 and isoperatively connected to a jack screw 15 which is suitably connected tothe front and rear sections 9 and 10 for moving same and the sections 11and 12 between a retracted position and an extended in-use position.

In the illustrated power means, pulleys 16 and 17 are mounted on themagnetic clutchl4 and a rear end of the jack screw 15 respectively forrotation therewith and a suitable power transmission member, such as anendless belt 18, extends therebetween to rotate the jack screw 15 uponoperation of the electric motor 13 and the magnetic clutch 14. Theillustrated jack screw 15 has one end rotatably supported adjacent aforward end of the rear section 10 and has the exterior surface thereofthreaded to be received within an internally threaded sleeve 19 mountedadjacent a rear end of the front section 9 whereby rotation of the jackscrew 15 is effective to selectively move the front section 9 toward andaway from the rear section 10 thereby extending and retracting thesections 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the center frame 2.

The floor members 3 are positioned adjacent the center frame 2 andextend outwardly from opposite sides thereof and are movable with thecenter frame 2 during telescoping thereof and are movable between afolded and telescoped storage position and an in-use position. In theillustrated structure, the transverse side edges of each of the floormembers 3 extend normal to the center frame 2 and are supported onbrackets 20 having one end thereof pivotally mounted on respectiveopposite sides of the intermediate sections 11 and 12 and brackets 21 oneach of the arms 5 at the front and rear ends of the center frame 2.

The side wall members of the body 4 are positioned adjacent an outerlongitudinal edge of each of the floor members 3 and the side wallmembers of the body 4 on each side of the foldable transportation deviceI extend between the respective brackets 21 on the arms Set the front orforward end of the transportation device 1 and the respective brackets21 on the arms 5 at the rear or back end of the transportation device 1.The side wall members of the body 4 are supported intermediate therespective front and rear arms 5 by the brackets 20. The side wallmembers of the body 4 on each side of the transportation device 1 arelongitudinally telescopeable and have cooperating guideways 22 on facingand engaging surfaces thereof.

There may be any number of side wall members on each side of thetransportation device 1, however, in the illustrated structure, eachside of the device 1 has a front wall member 23 and a rear wall member24 with one intermediate wall member 25 therebetween and each front wallmember 23 has the guideways 22 on an interior surface thereof and theintermediate wall member 25 has the guideways 22 on both interior andexterior surfaces thereof and the rear wall member 24 has the guideways22 on an exterior surface thereof to permit the wall members 23, 24, and25 to be movable to a side-by-side position when the center frame 2 andfloor members 3 are in the retracted position.

Certain of the side wall members of the body 4 have door portionstherein to provide access to an interior of the foldable transportationdevice 1. In the illustrated structure, the front wall member 23 on eachside of the transportation device 1 has a door portion 26 therein toprovide access to a forward portion of the transportation device 1 andthe rear wall member 24 has a door portion 27 therein to provide accessto a rear portion of the transportation device 1.

One pair of the opposed arms 5 is mounted adjacent a forward end of thefront section 9 and the other pair of opposed arms 5 is mounted adjacenta rear end of the rear section 10, and each of the arms 5 of the pairsof arms 5 at each end of the device has one end thereof pivotallymounted on the respective section of the center frame 2 and are movablebetween an extended in-use position extending substantially normal orperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the center frame 2 andsubstantially horizontal and parallel with a supporting surface and afolded position extending substantially vertically.

The illustrated pivotal mounting of each of the arms 5 includes abracket 28 mounted on the opposite sides of the front and rear sections9 and 10 of the center frame 2 and extending outwardly therefrom. Eachbracket 28 has a pair of flanges 29 and 30 extending outwardly from thecenter frame 2 and having suitable bushings or bearings (not shown)mounted therein to rotatably support a shaft 31 having opposite endportions thereof supported on the flanges 29 and 30 and extendingtherebetween. Spaced arm portions 32 and 33 of each arm 5 have one endthereof suitably secured on the shaft 31, as by welding, and extendoutwardly therefrom. The arm portions 32 and 33 and the shaft 31 arethereby movable as a unit to move between a generally horizontal in-useposition and a generally vertical folded storage position.

Movement of the arms 5 between the folded storage position and thein-use position is effective to move the side wall members of the body 4between the folded storage position and the in-use position. In theillustrated structure, a gear shaft 34 has intermediate portions thereofrotatably supported in the arm portions 32 and 33, as in suitablebearings 35. Gears 36 and 37 are mounted on respective opposite ends ofthe gear shaft 34 and one of the gears, for example gear 36, is inengagement with a rack gear 38 mounted on and extending outwardly fromthe center frame 2 and the other gear 37 engages a gear 39 rotatablymounted on one of the arm portions, for example arm portion 32, as in asuitable bracket 40 mounted thereon.

Movement of the arms 5 is effective to move the gear 36 along the rackgear 38 and thereby rotate the gear shaft 34 and the gear 39 thereon.The gear 39 has a suitable pulley 41 mounted thereon and rotatabletherewith. A suitable power transmission member, such as an endlesscable 42 engages the pulley 41 and a pulley 43 rotatably mountedadjacent a free end of each of the arms 5 whereby when the free end ofthe arms 5 are moved in an are about the respective shaft 31, the pulley41 is turned by the gear 39 which in turn is turned by the gears 36 and37 in response to pivotal movement of the respective arm in the flanges29 and 30 of the bracket 28.

The arms 5 may be moved manually between the folded storage position andthe in-use position, however, it is desirable to provide power means toeffect the movement, therefore, the electric motor 13 is operativelyconnected to the arms 5 to move same between the horizontal in-useposition and the vertical folded storage position when thetransportation device ll has been moved to the telescoped or retractedposition, shown in FIG. lil, as by telescoping or retracting thesections of the center frame 2. In the illustrated structure, a power orgear shaft portion 44 is rotatably mounted within the rear section ofthe center frame 2 and includes a pulley 45 on one end thereof andhaving an endless belt or cable 46 in engagement therewith and with thepulley 16 on the magnetic clutch 14. The power or gear shaft portion 44has a clutch portion 47 mounted on the other end thereof and which isoperatively engageable with a mating clutch portion 47 on a front gearshaft portion 49 when the center frame 2 is in the retracted position tothereby form a completed power shaft to fold and unfold component partsof the device 1 in response to operation of the electric motor 13. Therear gear or power shaft portion 44 and the front gear or power shaftportion 49 are each suitably rotatably supported within the rear section10 and the front section 9 respectively of the center frame 2.

The rear power or gear shaft portion 44 and the front power or gearshaft portion 49 are each substantially parallel with a longitudinaldimension of the center frame 2 and each engages a respective gear shaft50 mounted adjacent a front end of the front section 9 and a rear end ofthe rear section 10 and extending generally transversely to thelongitudinal dimension of the center frame 2.

The electric motor 13 is operative to rotate the power shaft portions 44and 49 and in the illustrated structure, a gear 51 is mounted on thepulley 45 on the rear power shaft portion 44 and a gear 52 is mounted onthe front gear or power shaft portion 49 whereby operation of theelectric motor 13 is operative to rotate the power shaft portions 44 and49 and the gears 51 and 52 are each in engagement with a suitable gear53 mounted on the respective front andrear gear shafts 50.

Rotation of the front and rear gear shafts 50 rotates gears 54 mountedon each of the opposite ends thereof each of which is engageable with agear 55 which is mounted on one end of a shaft 56 having the other endthereof positioned within a suitable gear box 57. The gear box 57 hassuitable gears therein operative to rotate an internally threaded sleeve58 in response to rotation of the respective front and rear shafts 50.

Rotation of the threaded sleeves 58 moves an externally threaded shaft59 received therein and which has one end thereof fixedly and pivotallymounted adjacent the free end of the respective arm 5, as by a suitablebracket 60.

Rotation of the sleeves 58 to extend the threaded shafts 59 is effectiveto move the arms 5 toward the inuse position and rotation of the sleeves58 to retract the threaded shafts 59 is effective to move the arms 5toward the folded storage position. Forward and reverse operation of theelectric motor 13 is thereby effective to selectively move the arms 5between a generally vertical folded storage position and a generallyhorizontal in-use position for movably supporting the center frame 2 andthe transportation device 1. Raising and lowering the arms 5 iseffective to move the side wall members of the body 4 between an in-useposition and a folded storage position, as later described.

The wheels 6 are each rotatably mounted on the free ends of therespective arms 5 and are preferably movable between an in-use positiongenerally normal to the respective arm 5 when the arms are in the in-useposition and a folded storage position generally parallel with therespective arm 5 when the arms 5 are in the folded storage position. Inthe illustrated structure, each wheel 6 is rotatably mounted on an axle61 suitably supported in a drop bracket 62 pivotally mounted on the freeend of the respective arm 5.

A sway bar 63 extends between respective sides of the center frame 2 andthe drop bracket 62 for the wheel 6 on each of the arms 5 at the rearend of the transportation device 1. Respective opposite ends of eachsway bar 63 are pivotally connected to the center frame 2 and the dropbracket 62 and each sway bar 63 is positioned below the respective armportions 32 and 33 and generally parallel therewith to form a part ofthe respective rear am 5. Each sway bar 63 effects pivotal movement ofthe respective drop bracket 62 between a folded storage position and anin-use position when the respective arm 5 is moved between the foldedposition and the in-use position respectively.

The wheels 6 on at least one pair of the arms 5 have the drive means 7operatively connected thereto for driving same to thereby selectivelymove the transportation device 1 in a forward and a reverse direction,as later described. In the illustrated structure, a suitable drive motor64 is operatively connected to the respective wheel 6 on each of thearms 5 at the rear of the transportation device 1.

In the illustrated drive means, a suitable hydraulic pump 65 isoperative to move hydraulic fluid from a suitable fluid source, such asa reservoir 66 to a fourway control valve 67 having movable partstherein operative to control volume and direction of the flow ofhydraulic fluid therethrough. The pump 65 is driven by a constant speedmotor 68 and the pump 65 is operative to effect a substantially constantpressure in fluid supplied to the control valve 67. Fluid from thecontrol valve 67 comrnunicates with suitable flow dividers 69 forcommunicating the fluid to each of the drive motors 64 connected to thewheels 6 on the arms 5 at the rear of the transportation device 1. Thecontrol valve 67 is effective to control forward and reverse rotation ofthe rear wheels 6, therefore, there are two flow dividers 69,

one for forward rotation and one for reverse rotation of the rear wheels6 with each being operative to receive fluid from the control valve 67and communicate same to each of the drive motors 64, as best seen inFIG. 7.

The pump 65 is operative to move a constant volume of fluid at asubstantially uniform pressure to the control valve 67 which isoperative to permit all or only a portion of the fluid to passtherethrough as determined by adjustment of speed controls, as laterdescribed, therefore, a pressure relief valve 70 is positioned betweenthe pump 65 and the control valve 67 and is operative to return fluid inexcess of the volume requirements to effect the desired speed to thefluid reservoir 66. A pressure relief valve 71 is positioned between thecontrol valve 67 and the drive motors 64 operatively connected to therear wheels 6 and preferably between the control valve 67 and the twoflow dividers 69. The pressure relief valve 71 is operative to returnfluid in excess of the capacity of the flow dividers 69 and the drivemotors 64 to the fluid reservoir 66 through the control valve 67. Acheck valve 72 is also positioned between the control valve 67 and thetwo flow dividers 69.

Direction selection means, more particularly forward and reverse drive,are operatively connected to the control valve 67 for selectively movingthe operative parts thereof to effect forward and reverse rotation ofthe driven wheels 6 and speed control means are also operativelyconnected to the control valve 67 for selectively moving the operativeparts thereof to control volume of fluid flowing therethrough to therebycontrol speed of rotation of the driven wheels 6 in either. forward orreverse rotation thereof.

The illustrated direction selection means includes an elongated shiftlever 73 positioned adjacent and preferably parallel with the centerframe 2 and pivotally mounted thereon intermediate the ends of the shiftlever 73 and having an end portion 74 positioned within thetransportation device 1 and within easy reach of an operator or driverthereof, as by being positioned adjacent one of a plurality of seatmembers 75, as later described. The shift lever 73 has an other endportion 76 thereof extending from the pivotal mounting thereof andgenerally parallel with the center frame 2 and into operative engagementwith a direction selection member 77 which is pivotally mounted on thecenter frame 2 and extending generally normal or perpendicular to theother end portion 76 of the shift lever 73. The pivotal mounting of thedirection selection member 77 is intermediate the ends thereof andspaced from the pivotal mounting of the shift lever 73.

The direction selection member 77 has an elongated way 78 therein andhaving opposite ends positioned adjacent respective opposite ends of thedirection selection member to receive a slide 79 mounted on the otherend portion 76 of the shift lever 73 for movement along the way 78between opposite ends thereof in response to adjustment of the positionof the end portion 74, as by an operator or driver of the transportationdevice 1. The direction selection member 77 is operatively connected tospeed controls, as later described, for effecting forward movement ofone end portion of the direction selection member 77 when the slide 79is positioned at one of the opposite ends of the way 78 and foreffecting rearward movement of said one end portion of the directionselection member 77 when the slide 79 is positioned at the other of theopposite ends of the way 78 in response to operation of the speedcontrol means.

A push rod operatively connects the direction selection member 77 andthe control valve 67 for adjusting theoperative parts thereof to controlspeed and direction of rotation of the driven wheels 6 at the rear endof the device 1 in response to the position of the shift lever 73 andthe slide 79 in the way 78 and operation of the speed control means. Inthe illustrated structure, the push rod 80 is connected to one end of alever 81 having an intermediate portion thereof suitably pivotallymounted, as on a support for one of the seat members 75, and the otherend thereof in engagement with the operative parts of the control valve67 The illustrated speed control means includes an accelerator pedal 82pivotally mounted on the center frame 2 and positioned within easy reachof a foot of an operator or driver of the transportation device 1. Acable 83 extends between the accelerator pedal 82 and the slide 79mounted on the other end portion 76 of the shift lever 73 wherebymovement of the accelerator pedal 82 is effective to pivot the directionselection member 77 forward when the slide member 79 is at one end ofthe way 78 thereby pushing the push rod 80 and lever 81 in one directionto adjust the control valve 67 and when the slide 79 is at the other endof the way 78, movement of the accelerator pedal 82 is effective to pullthe push rod 80 and lever in the opposite direction thereby moving theoperative parts of the control valve 67 to selectively effect forwardand reverse drive and control the speed thereof by the amount ofmovement of the accelerator pedal and cable 83.

The steering means 8 is preferably operatively connected to the wheels 6on one pair of the arms 5 for steering same and in the illustratedstructure, the steering means 8 is operatively connected to the wheels 6on the arms 5 at the front of the transportation device 1 A radius rod84 extends between the respective sides of the center frame 2 and thedrop bracket 62 for each wheel 6 of the arms 5 at the front end of thetransportation device 1. Respective opposite ends of each of the radiusrods 84 are suitably connected to the center frame 2 and the dropbracket 62 to permit turning of the respective wheels and each of theradius rods 84 are positioned below the respective arm portions 32 and33 and generally parallel therewith to form a part of the respectivefront arms 5. Each of the radius rods 84 effect movement of therespective drop bracket 62 between a folded storage position and anin-use position when the respective arm 5 is moved between the foldedposition and the in-use position respectively.

A suitable steering wheel 85 is positioned within easy reach of anoperator or driver of the transportation device 1 and is mounted on anupper end of a suitable steering column 86 which has a lower end thereofpivotally mounted on one of the arms 5 at the front end of thetransportation device 1. The lower end of the steering column 86 has ahousing 87 thereon having suitable means therein for pivoting an arm 88mounted on the housing 87. Oneend of the arm 88 is connected to asuitable linkage for turning the wheels 6 on the arms 5 at the front endof the transportation device 1 in response to turning of the steeringwheel 85.

In the illustrated structure, the steering linkage includes a link 89having one end pivotally connected to the arm 88 and the other endthereof pivotally connected to one end of a rocker arm 90 pivotallysupported on the center frame 2 intermediate the ends of the rocker arm90. Opposed push rods 91 and 92 each have one end thereof pivotallymounted on the other end of the rocker arm 90 and the respective otherends of the push rods 91 and 92 are suitably connected to the dropbrackets 62 supporting the respective wheels 6 at the front end of thetransportation device 1 for turning same in response to movement of thearm 88. In the illustrated structure, the rocker arm 90 is mounted onthe same side of the transportation device 1 as the steering column 86and housing 87 and the push rod mounted on the other side of the centerframe 2 of the transportation device 1 is suitably supported as by apivotally mounted hanger 93, as best seen in FIG. 2, on the other sideof the center frame 2.

The end walls of the body 4 are mounted on opposite ends of the centerframe 2 and have foldable portions movable between an in-use position,as best illustrated in FIG. 1, and a folded position, as bestillustrated in FIG. 13. In the illustrated embodiment, front and rearend members 94 and 95 are mounted on front and rear ends respectively ofthe center frame 2 and are upstanding therefrom and the end members 94and 95 are positioned substantially normal or perpendicular to alongitudinal dimension of the center frame 2.

Side panels 96 and 97 are hingedly mounted on opposite upright sideedges 98 and 99 respectively of each of the front and rear members 94and 95. Each side panel 96 and 97 is movable between a folded positionsubstantially parallel with the longitudinal dimension of the centerframe 2 and an in-use position extending generally outwardly from therespective end members 94 and 95. i

Connection means 100for selectively maintaining the side panels 96 and97 in the folded position and in the in-use position are mounted on freeupright edges of the side panels 96 and 97 on the front and rear endmembers 94 and 95. The connection means 100 includes cooperatingportions on respective end edges of the side wall members of the body 4for maintaining the side panels 96 and 97 and the side wall members inthe in-use position.

The illustrated connection means 100 includes suitable upper and lowerarms 101 extending outwardly from opposite ends of the upright free edgeof each of the side panels 96 and 97 at the front and rear ends of thetransportation device 1. An elongated tubular member 102 having closedends extends between the upper and lower arms 101 and is rotatablysupported thereon and has an ear 103 extending outwardly therefrom andpreferably positioned adjacent a lower end thereof. An elongatedresilient member 104 is mounted on the side panels 96 and 97 and ispositioned to have a portion thereof in engagement with the respectivetubular member 102 for sufficiently restricting rotational movementthereof to thereby form a substantially tight connection between therespective side wall member or side panel.

The tubular member 102 is illustrated as a generally elongatedcylindrical member having a segment or portion thereof removed for thelength thereof whereby a cooperating portion 105 on the respective sidewall member or side panel is shaped to pass through to the removedportion of the tubular member 102 and engagement of the cooperatingportion 105 within the tubular member 102 is effective to form asubstantially tight connection therebetween when the tubular member 102is rotated, as by moving the ear 103, to surround the cooperatingportion 105 with the remain ing portion of the tubular member 102.

It is desirable to provide a windshield in front of an operator ordriver of the transportation device 1 and for passengers therein,therefore, sets 106 and 107 of frames are positioned adjacent thefrontand rear end members 94 and 95 respectively and the frames of the sets106 and 107 are movable between a folded position adjacent andsubstantially parallel with the respective end members 94 and 95 and anin use position above and generally parallel with an upper edge of therespective end walls, as defined by the front and rear end members 94and 95 and the respective side panels 96 and 97 mounted thereon. Each ofthe sets 106 and 107 may have any number of of frames therein, however,it is preferable that at least one of the frames of each of the sets 106and 107 of frames have suitable transparent material mounted therein,such as glass, plastic or the like.

In the illustrated structure, there are two frames in the front set 106adjacent the front end member 94 and there are three frames in the rearset 107 adjacent the. rear end member 95 and both of the frames in thefront set 106 have transparent material therein and a center frame ofthe rear set 107 has transparent material therein.

Suitable means are provided which engage the frames in each of the sets106 and 107 and the respective end members 94 and 95 and the side panels96 and 97 mounted thereon to permit moving the respective sets 106 and107 of frames between the folded position and the in-use position abovethe respective end members and side panels mounted thereon.

The frames of the sets 106 and 107 have suitable fastening members on anupper edge thereof, when in the in-use position, to receive and supportrespective opposite ends of a suitable-collapsible top member 108removably mounted on and extendible between respective upper edges ofthe frames of the sets 106 and 107. The collapsible top member 108 ispreferably formed of a durable substantially weatherproof material, suchas plastic, canvas, and the like. The collapsible top member 108includes a plurality of spaced stiffening portions 109 mounted onopposite side edges thereof for supporting said respective side edgeswhen the top member 108 is in the extended in-use position. The stif?fening portions 109 are spaced apart when in the in-use position and aretelescopeable together when in the retracted position, as best shown inFIG. 11.

It is desirable to provide at least one seat member 75 mounted on thecenter frame 2 and having foldable portions movable between a foldedstorage position and an in-use position for supporting the driver oroperator of the transportation device 1. In the illustrated structure,the seat members 75 include a pair of front seat members 110 and 111positioned adjacent and rearwardly of a forward end of the center frame2 and having the end portion 74 of the shift lever 73, the

accelerator pedal 82, and steering wheel 85 positioned within easy reachof an operator or driver of the transportation device 1 and adjacent oneof the front seat members, for example, front seat member 110. A pair ofrear seat members 112 and 113 are positioned behind the front seatmembers 110 and 111 and adjacent a rear end of the center frame 2.

Each of the seat members 110, 111, 112 and 113 has a seat portion 114and a back portion 115 foldable over the respective seat portion 114.One of the seat members of each pair of front and rear seat members isfoldable over the other seat member of the respective pair of seatmembers, as by having both seat members mounted on a suitable hinge 116.

One pair of the seat members is mounted on a mechanism operative toraise the respective pair of seat members to permit the other pair ofseat members to be moved below the one pair of seat members duringtelescoping or retracting of the center frame 2. In the illustratedstructure, the rear seat members 112 and 113 are mounted on a pair ofspaced arms 117 movable between a lower in-use position, as illustratedin FIG. 8, and a raised storage position as illustrated in FIGS. 9, 11and 13. The arms 117 each move vertically between one side of a seatsupport member 118 and a guide member 119 mounted on the seat supportmember 1 18. A resilient clip 120 is mounted on the other side of theseat support member 1 18 and has a pin 121 extending through an aperturein the respective seat support member 118 and into an aperture 122 in alower end of the respective arm 117 to support same in the raisedposition.

it is necessary that the transportation device 1 have suitableheadlights, such as a pair of spaced lights 123 and 124, mounted on thefront end member 94 and powered by a suitable battery 125 which may bemounted in the front section 9 and preferably adjacent a forward endthereof. Windshield wipers 126 and 127 may also be powered by thebattery 125 and are positioned on the front end member 94 adjacent anupper edge thereof and engageable with the transparent material in theframes of the front set 106. Tail lights 128 and 129 are also providedon the side panels 96 and 97 respectively at the rear end of thetransportation device 1 and are preferably powered by the battery 125.

it is to be understood that while We have illustrated and described oneform of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein shown and described.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A foldabletransportation device, having an in-use position and a folded position,comprising:

a. a longitudinally telescopeable center frame;

b. a pair of opposed arms for each end of said center frame, each ofsaid arms of each pair having one end thereof pivotally mounted on saidcenter frame and extending outwardly therefrom and having a wheelrotatably mounted on the other end thereof;

0. means engaging each of said arms to permit moving same between afolded storage position and an in-use position for movably supportingsaid center frame;

d. means carried on said center frame and operatively connected to thewheels on at least one pair of said arms for driving same;

e. means operatively connected to the wheels on at least one pair ofsaid arms for steering same;

f. at least one seat member mounted on said center frame and havingfoldable portions movable between an in-use position and a foldedstorage position; and

g. floor members positioned adjacent said center frame and extendingoutwardly from opposite sides of said center frame, said floor membersbeing movable with said center frame during telescoping thereof andmovable between a folded and telescoped storage position and an in-useposition.

2. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. an end member mounted on each end of said center frame and upstandingtherefrom and having opposite upright side edges, said end members eachbeing substantially normal to a longitudinal dimension of said centerframe;

. a side panel for each of the opposite upright side edges of each ofsaid end members and hingedly mounted thereon, each side panel beingmovable between a folded position substantially parallel with thelongitudinal dimension of said center frame and an in-use positionextending generally outwardly from said respective end members; and

c. means engageable with each of said side panels for selectivelymaintaining same in said folded position and in said in-use position.

3. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 2 including:

a. a wall member positioned adjacent an outer edge of each of said floormembers;

means engaging said wall members to permit moving said wall membersbetween a folded position and an in-use position extending generallyupwardly from the outer edge of the respective floor member;

. cooperating means on a free edge of each of said side panels and onrespective end edges of said wall members for maintaining same in saidin-use position; and

. a door portion in certain of said wall members for access to a spacedefined by said end members and respective side panels and said wallmembers.

4. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 2 including:

a. a set of frames adjacent each of said end members and movable betweena folded position and an inuse position;

b. transparent material mounted in at least one of said frames of eachof said sets of frames; means engaging the frames in each of said setsof frames and said respective end members and the side panels mountedthereon to permit moving said sets of frames between a folded positionand an in-use position above said respective end members and the sidepanels mounted thereon; and

. a collapsible top member removably mounted on and extending betweenrespective upper edges of the frames in each of said sets of frames whenin said in-use positions.

5. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. an end member fixedly mounted on each end of said center frame andupstanding therefrom and having opposite upright side edges, said endmembers each being substantially normal to a longitudinal dimension ofsaid center frame;

b. a side panel for each of the opposite upright side edges of each ofsaid end members and hingedly mounted thereon, each side panel beingmovable between a folded position substantially parallel with thelongitudinal dimension of said center frame and an in-use positionextending outwardly from said respective end members;

c. a wall member positioned adjacent an outer edge of each of said floormembers, said wall members each being movable between an in-use positionextending generally upwardly from the respective floor member and afolded position, said wall members being movable to a side-by-sideposition when said floor members are in said storage position; and

d. cooperating means on said side panels and on said respective wallmembers for maintaining same in said respective in-use positions.

6. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidwheel driving means comprises:

a. a supply of hydraulic fluid;

b. valve means having movable parts operative to control volume anddirection of flow of hydraulic fluid;

0. means communicating with said hydraulic fluid supply and said valvemeans for effecting pressure in fluid supplied to said valve means;

d. a hydraulic motor for each wheel to be driven and operativelyconnected to said respective wheel and to said valve means;

e. means on said center frame and operatively connected to said valvemeans for moving operative parts thereof to selectively effect forwardand reverse rotation of said driven wheels; and

f. means on said center frame and operatively connected to said valvemeans for moving operative parts thereof to selectively control volumeof fluid therethrough to thereby control speed of rotation of saiddriven wheels.

7. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 6 wherein saiddirection selection means comprises:

a. an elongated shift lever adjacent said center frame and pivotallymounted thereon, said pivotal mounting being intermediate the ends ofsaid shift lever, said shift lever having one end portion adjacent saidseat member and an other end portion extending from said pivotalmounting thereof;

b. a direction selection member pivotally mounted on said center frame,said pivotal mounting of said direction selection member beingintermediate the ends of said direction selection member and spaced fromsaid pivotal mounting of said shift lever;

0. means slidably engaging said other end portion of said shift leverand movable along said direction 6 portion of said direction selectionmember when positioned at one of said opposite ends thereof andeffecting rearward movement of the one end portion of said directionselection member when positioned at the other of said opposite ends inresponse to operation of said speed control means; and

(1. means operatively connecting said one end portion of said directionselection member and said valve means for adjusting the operative partsof said valve means to control speed and direction of rotation of saiddriven wheels in response to the position of said shift lever andoperation of said speed control means.

8. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. a pair of seat members are positioned adjacent a forward end of saidcenter frame;

b. a pair of seat members are positioned adjacent a rear end of saidcenter frame;

c. each of said seat members has a seat portion and a back portionfoldable over said respective seat portion;

d. one seat member of each pair of seat members is foldable over theother seat member of the respective pair of seat members; and

e. one pair of said seat members is mounted on a mechanism operative toraise said one pair of seat members to permit the other pair of seatmembers to be moved below said one pair of seat members duringtelescoping of said center frame.

9. A foldable transportation device as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. power driven means operatively connected to portions of said centerframe for selectively moving the portions of said center frame betweenan extended in-use position and a retracted storage position;

b. means operatively engageable with said power driven means andoperatively connected to each of said arms for selectively moving saidarms between said folded position and said in-use position; and

c. means engaging each of said arms and the wheel mounted thereon topermit said respective wheel to move between an in-use positiongenerally normal to said arm and a folded position generally parallelwith said arm.

10. A foldable transportation device comprising:

a. a center frame having a plurality of longitudinally telescopeablesections movable between an extended in-use position and a retractedstorage position;

b. a pair of opposed arms for each end of said center frame; each ofsaid arms of each pair having one end thereof pivotally mounted on arespective end section of said center frame and extending outwardlytherefrom and having a wheel rotatably mounted on the other end thereof;

c. means engaging each of said arms to permit moving same between afolded storage position and an in-use position for movably supportingsaid center frame;

d. power means carried on said center frame and operatively connected tothe wheels on at least one pair of said arms for selectively drivingsame for forward and rearward travel;

e. means operatively connected to the wheels on at least one pair ofsaid arms for steering same;

f. at least one seat mounted on said center frame and having foldableportions movable between an inuse position and a folded storageposition;

g. a floor member positioned adjacent opposite sides of each section ofsaid center frame and extending outwardly from said opposite sides ofsaid respective sections of said center frame, said floor members beingmovable with said respective sections of said center frame duringmovement thereof between the extended in-use position and the retractedstorage position;

h. an end member mounted on each end section of said center frame andupstanding therefrom and having upright side edges, said end memberseach being substantially normal to a longitudinal dimension of saidcenter frame;

i. a side panel for each of the opposite upright side edges of each ofsaid end members and hingedly mounted thereon, each side panel beingmovable between a folded position substantially parallel with thelongitudinal dimension of said center frame and an in-use positionextending generally outwardly from said respective end members;

j. a wall member positioned adjacent an outer edge of each of said floormembers, said wall members each being movable between an in-use positionextending generally upwardly from the respective floor member and afolded position, said wall members being movable to a side-.by-sideposition when the sections of said center frame are positioned in theretracted storage position;

k. a door portion in certain of said wall members for access to a spacedefined by said end members and respective side panels and said wallmembers; and

l. cooperating means on said side panels and on said respective wallmembers for maintaining same in said respective in-use positions.

1. A foldable transportation device, having an in-use position and afolded position, comprising: a. a longitudinally telescopeable centerframe; b. a pair of opposed arms for each end of said center frame, eachof said arms of each pair having one end thereof pivotally mounted onsaid center frame and extending outwardly therefrom and having a wheelrotatably mounted on the other end thereof; c. means engaging each ofsaid arms to permit moving same between a folded storage position and anin-use position for movably supporting said center frame; d. meanscarried on said center frame and operatively connected to the wheels onat least one pair of said arms for driving same; e. means operativelyconnected to the wheels on at least one pair of said arms for steeringsame; f. at least one seat member mounted on said center frame andhaving foldable portions movable between an in-use position and a foldedstorage position; and g. floor members positioned adjacent said centerframe and extending outwardly from opposite sides of said center frame,said floor members being movable with said center frame duringtelescoping thereof and movable between a folded and telescoped storageposition and an in-use position.
 2. A foldable transportation device asset forth in claim 1 including: a. an end member mounted on each end ofsaid center frame and upstanding therefrom and having opposite uprightside edges, said end members each being substantially normal to alongitudinal dimension of said center frame; b. a side panel for each ofthe opposite upright side edges of each of said end members and hingedlymounted thereon, each side panel being movable between a folded positionsubstantially parallel with the longitudinal dimension of said centerframe and an in-use position extending generally outwardly from saidrespective end members; and c. means engageable with each of said sidepanels for selectively maintaining same in said folded position and insaid in-use position.
 3. A foldable transportation device as set forthin claim 2 including: a. a wall member positioned adjacent an outer edgeof each of said floor members; b. means engaging said wall members topermit moving said wall members between a folded position and an in-useposition extending generally upwardly from the outer edge of therespective floor member; c. cooperating means on a free edge of each ofsaid side panels and on respective end edges of said wall Members formaintaining same in said in-use position; and d. a door portion incertain of said wall members for access to a space defined by said endmembers and respective side panels and said wall members.
 4. A foldabletransportation device as set forth in claim 2 including: a. a set offrames adjacent each of said end members and movable between a foldedposition and an in-use position; b. transparent material mounted in atleast one of said frames of each of said sets of frames; c. meansengaging the frames in each of said sets of frames and said respectiveend members and the side panels mounted thereon to permit moving saidsets of frames between a folded position and an in-use position abovesaid respective end members and the side panels mounted thereon; and d.a collapsible top member removably mounted on and extending betweenrespective upper edges of the frames in each of said sets of frames whenin said in-use positions.
 5. A foldable transportation device as setforth in claim 1 including: a. an end member fixedly mounted on each endof said center frame and upstanding therefrom and having oppositeupright side edges, said end members each being substantially normal toa longitudinal dimension of said center frame; b. a side panel for eachof the opposite upright side edges of each of said end members andhingedly mounted thereon, each side panel being movable between a foldedposition substantially parallel with the longitudinal dimension of saidcenter frame and an in-use position extending outwardly from saidrespective end members; c. a wall member positioned adjacent an outeredge of each of said floor members, said wall members each being movablebetween an in-use position extending generally upwardly from therespective floor member and a folded position, said wall members beingmovable to a side-by-side position when said floor members are in saidstorage position; and d. cooperating means on said side panels and onsaid respective wall members for maintaining same in said respectivein-use positions.
 6. A foldable transportation device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said wheel driving means comprises: a. a supply ofhydraulic fluid; b. valve means having movable parts operative tocontrol volume and direction of flow of hydraulic fluid; c. meanscommunicating with said hydraulic fluid supply and said valve means foreffecting pressure in fluid supplied to said valve means; d. a hydraulicmotor for each wheel to be driven and operatively connected to saidrespective wheel and to said valve means; e. means on said center frameand operatively connected to said valve means for moving operative partsthereof to selectively effect forward and reverse rotation of saiddriven wheels; and f. means on said center frame and operativelyconnected to said valve means for moving operative parts thereof toselectively control volume of fluid therethrough to thereby controlspeed of rotation of said driven wheels.
 7. A foldable transportationdevice as set forth in claim 6 wherein said direction selection meanscomprises: a. an elongated shift lever adjacent said center frame andpivotally mounted thereon, said pivotal mounting being intermediate theends of said shift lever, said shift lever having one end portionadjacent said seat member and an other end portion extending from saidpivotal mounting thereof; b. a direction selection member pivotallymounted on said center frame, said pivotal mounting of said directionselection member being intermediate the ends of said direction selectionmember and spaced from said pivotal mounting of said shift lever; c.means slidably engaging said other end portion of said shift lever andmovable along said direction selection member between opposite endsthereof and operatively connected to said speed control means foreffecting forward movement of one end portion of said directionselection member when positioned at One of said opposite ends thereofand effecting rearward movement of the one end portion of said directionselection member when positioned at the other of said opposite ends inresponse to operation of said speed control means; and d. meansoperatively connecting said one end portion of said direction selectionmember and said valve means for adjusting the operative parts of saidvalve means to control speed and direction of rotation of said drivenwheels in response to the position of said shift lever and operation ofsaid speed control means.
 8. A foldable transportation device as setforth in claim 1 wherein: a. a pair of seat members are positionedadjacent a forward end of said center frame; b. a pair of seat membersare positioned adjacent a rear end of said center frame; c. each of saidseat members has a seat portion and a back portion foldable over saidrespective seat portion; d. one seat member of each pair of seat membersis foldable over the other seat member of the respective pair of seatmembers; and e. one pair of said seat members is mounted on a mechanismoperative to raise said one pair of seat members to permit the otherpair of seat members to be moved below said one pair of seat membersduring telescoping of said center frame.
 9. A foldable transportationdevice as set forth in claim 1 including: a. power driven meansoperatively connected to portions of said center frame for selectivelymoving the portions of said center frame between an extended in-useposition and a retracted storage position; b. means operativelyengageable with said power driven means and operatively connected toeach of said arms for selectively moving said arms between said foldedposition and said in-use position; and c. means engaging each of saidarms and the wheel mounted thereon to permit said respective wheel tomove between an in-use position generally normal to said arm and afolded position generally parallel with said arm.
 10. A foldabletransportation device comprising: a. a center frame having a pluralityof longitudinally telescopeable sections movable between an extendedin-use position and a retracted storage position; b. a pair of opposedarms for each end of said center frame; each of said arms of each pairhaving one end thereof pivotally mounted on a respective end section ofsaid center frame and extending outwardly therefrom and having a wheelrotatably mounted on the other end thereof; c. means engaging each ofsaid arms to permit moving same between a folded storage position and anin-use position for movably supporting said center frame; d. power meanscarried on said center frame and operatively connected to the wheels onat least one pair of said arms for selectively driving same for forwardand rearward travel; e. means operatively connected to the wheels on atleast one pair of said arms for steering same; f. at least one seatmounted on said center frame and having foldable portions movablebetween an in-use position and a folded storage position; g. a floormember positioned adjacent opposite sides of each section of said centerframe and extending outwardly from said opposite sides of saidrespective sections of said center frame, said floor members beingmovable with said respective sections of said center frame duringmovement thereof between the extended in-use position and the retractedstorage position; h. an end member mounted on each end section of saidcenter frame and upstanding therefrom and having upright side edges,said end members each being substantially normal to a longitudinaldimension of said center frame; i. a side panel for each of the oppositeupright side edges of each of said end members and hingedly mountedthereon, each side panel being movable between a folded positionsubstantially parallel with the longitudinal dimension of said centerframe and an in-use position extending generally outwardly from saidrespective eNd members; j. a wall member positioned adjacent an outeredge of each of said floor members, said wall members each being movablebetween an in-use position extending generally upwardly from therespective floor member and a folded position, said wall members beingmovable to a side-by-side position when the sections of said centerframe are positioned in the retracted storage position; k. a doorportion in certain of said wall members for access to a space defined bysaid end members and respective side panels and said wall members; andl. cooperating means on said side panels and on said respective wallmembers for maintaining same in said respective in-use positions.